City To Host Community Meeting March 5 On Predatory Offender

POSTED 02-24-2012

The Golden Valley Police Department (GVPD) received notification from the Minnesota Department of Corrections that a predatory offender is being released from a secure treatment facility and will be relocating to a halfway house in Golden Valley. Clarence Joseph Opheim will be relocating to the area of Zane and Hwy 55 (NW quadrant of Hwy 100 and Olson Memorial Hwy) in Golden Valley.

As allowed by Minnesota State Statute, the GVPD will conduct a community notification meeting Monday, March 5, 2012, 6 pm, at the Perpich Center for the Arts auditorium, 6125 Olson Memorial Hwy. The purpose of community notification is to raise the public’s awareness and provide sound information regarding predatory offenders. State statute authorizes local law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sexual or predatory offender’s release from a secure treatment facility when that agency believes the release of information will enhance public safety and protection.

At the March 5 meeting, the Minnesota Department of Corrections and the GVPD will provide information regarding Opheim’s offenses, conditions of release, and general safety information (see resources below). This public safety meeting will be re-broadcast on community television and streamed on the City’s website within a few days of the meeting.

The City of Golden Valley has no authority to prohibit released predatory offenders from residing in Golden Valley. However, it is the GVPD’s goal to provide information to residents, school districts, and area businesses to increase their awareness. Clarence Opheim is not wanted by the GVPD and has served his imposed sentence for his offenses.